New Jersey Public Advocate Ronald Chen released the following statement today about the housing rules just approved by the Council on Affordable Housing:

Based on my initial review of the revised version of the third-round housing rules, I believe they are an extremely positive step toward addressing New Jersey’s severe shortage of affordable housing. Perhaps most important, COAH’s new estimate of the statewide housing need will help New Jersey to increase the stock of affordable housing that is created through private development and redevelopment. I commend Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Commissioner Joseph Doria and the COAH Board and staff for their work on these revised rules.

Of course, much more needs to be done to address New Jersey’s affordable housing crisis. I look forward to examining the revised rule more thoroughly and contributing to an ongoing effort to ensure access to affordable housing. This effort will include working with Speaker Roberts and Assemblywoman Watson-Coleman on important legislative initiatives, such as abolishing Regional Contribution Agreements (RCAs) and setting aside a significant portion of affordable housing for very-low-income families. I also look forward to working with Governor Corzine in meeting his ambitious goal of creating 100,000 new affordable housing units.

On October 25, 2007, the Department of the Public Advocate released a report entitled “Affordable Housing in New Jersey: Reviving the Promise,” outlining several specific policy approaches that COAH should take to facilitate the effective implementation of affordable housing policy in New Jersey. 

Read press release and our department's report on affordable housing, 10/25/07